eCrate - the future of hot rodding

 The electric future of hot rodding?

eCrate 

At SEMA360, the 2020 virtual trade show for the Specialty Equipment Market Association, Chevrolet introduced a 1977 K5 Blazer converted to all-electric drive. The K5 Blazer-E is a functional proof of concept of the upcoming Electric Connect and Cruise package Chevrolet Performance plans to sell in the second half of 2021.

“As GM introduces a new fleet of electric vehicles, it creates an exciting opportunity to bring EV technology to the aftermarket,” said Jim Campbell, GM U.S. vice president of Performance and Motorsports. “Our vision is to offer a comprehensive line of Connect and Cruise systems from Chevrolet Performance, delivering a solution for every customer ranging from LSX V-8s to eCrate conversions.”

The new K5 Blazer-E retains as much of the stock Blazer as possible and approximately 90% of the new parts installed for the eCrate package are factory components from the Chevrolet Bolt EV. To convert the 19977 K5 Blazer, the team first removed the original 175-hp 400-cid V-8, three-speed automatic, fuel system and exhaust.

The team installed a Bolt EV electric motor, delivering 200 hp and 266 lb.-ft. of torque, paired with a Chevrolet Performance electronically controlled four-speed automatic. The rest of the Blazer drivetrain remains untouched, including the transfer case, driveshaft and axles.

Power is supplied by a 400-volt Bolt EV battery pack with 60 kilowatt-hours of usable energy installed in the cargo area. Using production controllers and wiring harnesses preserves many Bolt EV features, including shock protection, battery heating and cooling, battery-overcharge protection and even regenerative braking.

To prepare for the eCrate launch, Chevrolet Performance is certifying Electric Connect and Cruise installers. Participating Chevrolet dealers and aftermarket companies will receive the training, tools and equipment needed to work with high-voltage systems and charging stations to service customers’ vehicles.

The 60-kWh Electric Connect and Cruise package available in the second half of 2021, will include the 60-kWh battery pack, the DC-to-AC power inverter to drive the electric motor, the DC-to-DC power converter to power low-voltage systems and wiring harnesses, controllers and water pumps for battery heating and cooling.

Photos and build details provided by Chevrolet 

How OEM manufacturers see the electric future of hot rodding

How OEM manufacturers see the electric future of hot rodding 

There were a pair of battery–powered vehicles shown at original equipment manufacturers stands at the 2019 Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) show. Are these the leading edge of hot rodding's electric future?

Chevrolet’s “E-10 Concept” demonstrated General Motors’ vision of the future of hot rodding with a 1962 C-10 pickup truck powered by an electric Connect & Cruise concept crate propulsion package offering approximately 450 horsepower, using proven components from the Chevrolet Bolt EV.

The E-10’s Connect & Cruise concept propulsion system is composed of a double stack of Chevrolet Performance concept electric crate motors (eCrate), two 400-volt batteries and a conventional SuperMatic™ 4L75-E automatic transmission. The double stack eCrate motor replaces the truck’s original gas engine under the hood and is connected to the automatic transmission, which transfers torque to the rear axle. Power to the drive stack comes from the pair of independent Chevrolet Bolt EV power electronics and two production Bolt EV battery packs. Mounted in the truck’s bed, each offers 60 kWh of usable energy under a hard tonneau cover.

With an estimated 450 horsepower to the rear wheels, the concept electric propulsion system helps the E-10 deliver 0-60 mph times of around 5 seconds; and quarter mile times in the high 13 second range. To help this modern hot rod have “that sound,” the E-10 has a sound emulator with three speakers - one that simulates induction sound in the front and two to replicate that growl  of V-8 engine in the back of the vehicle with the sounds automatically adjust to the changing of the gears to mimic an internal combustion engine.

The Ford 2019 SEMA display featured the Mustang Lithium powered by a Phi-Power dual-core electric motor and dual power inverters – all powered by an 800-volt Webasto® battery system with EVDrive Technology. 800 volts is twice the voltage of most electric cars on the road today. This allows the system to be lighter, more powerful and generate less heat, and more electric force.  

Photo courtesy of Ford Motor Company 

The Mustang Lithium features a manual transmission - the Getrag MT82 6-speed transmission with billet internals to handle the 900 horsepower and 1,000 foot/pounds of torque. Ford Performance half shafts and Super 8.8 Torsen® differential help supply power to the road via lightweight 20-inch Forgeline wheels wearing Michelin® Pilot® Sport 4S tires.

Additional features include the Ford Performance Track Handling Pack and strut tower brace, Brembo six-piston front brakes from the Shelby GT350R, Sankuer Composite Technologies side splitters and rear diffuser, plus a  custom Webasto hood with see-through polycarbonate windows, TurboDX charging solution and TurboCord level 2 portable charger.

Photo courtesy of Ford Motor Company 

Mustang Lithium features a unique set of drive modes that apply a controlled amount of torque for different driving scenarios including: Valet, Sport, Track and Beast, and are accessed via the in-dash 10-inch touchscreen display.

Photos by the author except as noted. 

The eCOPO Chevrolet Camaro

One of the most eagerly anticipated vehicle debuts at the 2018 SEMA (Specialty Equipment Market Association) show was the unveiling of the  “eCOPO” Camaro, an electric-powered Central Office Production Order concept car built by a partnership of Chevrolet and  the pioneering electric drag racing team Hancock & Lane Racing.

The car’s usual gasoline engine was replaced by electric motor based on a pair of BorgWarner HVH 250-150 motor assemblies, each generating 300 foot-pounds of torque. The motor is connected to the conventional racing-prepared TH400 three-speed automatic transmission that transmits the motor’s torque to the same solid rear axle used in the production COPO Camaro race cars.

The 700-horsepower motor is powered by an 800-volt 32-kilowatt per hour battery pack comprised of four 200-volt modules, each module weighs approximately 175 pounds.  Two packs are mounted in the rear seat area and the other two are mounted in the trunk - one in the spare tire well and the other in the area over the rear axle.

In testing, the eCOPO Camaro’s best quarter-mile run was an elapsed time 9.837 seconds from a standing start with a trap speed of 134.07 miles per hour.

All photos by the author

An electric 1949 Mercury at SEMA 2018

The ICON 4x4 and Customs shop in Los Angeles California is renowned for its past “derelict restomod” builds that featured modern running gear under old sheetmetal such as the shop’s original 1951 DeSoto station wagon, the 1950 Buick Roadmaster, and the 1946 Lincoln Club Coupe, and the 1949 Mercury coupe shown at SEMA (Specialty Equipment Market Association) 2018 is equally ground-breaking.

The 1949 Mercury features two 150 KW permanent magnet electric motors that combined to look like a V-8 engine develops an estimated 400 horsepower and 470 ft/lbs. of torque.  A Tesla 85 KWH battery pack provides the power with dual motor controllers and dual fast chargers.

The coupe rides on a custom-built Art Morrison chassis with four-wheel independent suspension equipped with Brembo brakes, electric power steering, Relicate custom leather and textile interior and electric air conditioning. The whole package has an estimated 120 mile per hour (MPH) top speed and a range of 150 to 200 miles.     

All photos by the author